May 2025 Minutes
Minutes of the Utterby Parish Council Meeting held at Utterby Village Hall on Tuesday 13th May 2025 at 7.00PM
Present: Cllrs: Newton (Chairman of the Meeting), Buckley, Bryan, Clifford, and Traves
In attendance: The Parish Clerk, Cllr Mossop, and 6 members of the public.
01:05/25 To elect a Chair
a) To elect a Chair for the year 2025/2026. The elected Member shall sign a declaration of acceptance of office, witnessed by the Proper Officer.
RESOLVED: That Cllr Newton be elected as Chair for the year 2025/2026
b) To appoint a Vice-Chairman for the year 2025/2026
RESOLVED: That Cllr Buckley be appointed as Vice-Chair for the year 2025/2026
02:05/25 Declarations of Interest
a) To record declarations of interest by any member of the council in respect of the agenda items listed below. Members declaring interests should identify the agenda item and type of interest being declared.
None
b) To note dispensations given to any member of the council in respect of the agenda items listed below.
None
03:05/25 Apologies for Absence
To receive any apologies from Members not able to attend the meeting.
Apologies had been received from Cllr Lashbrooke-Small.
04:05/25 Open Forum
STANDING ORDER NO. 3
a) Members of the public may make representations, answer questions, and give evidence at a meeting which they are entitled to attend in respect of the business on the agenda.
A member of the public addressed the Parish Council regarding training for parish councillors. The member of the public spoke about tree preservation orders on the trees at Benson Court, and dead trees on the Green.
A member of the public addressed the Parish Council regarding the speed limits in the village. Parts of the village are in a 50mph limit area before the 30mph zone begins, and the resident advised that most vehicles exceed this 50mph limit.
A village wide Neighbourhood Watch Scheme was suggested to protect residents from crime.
A crossing island was suggested for the A16 within the 50pmh zone near West View.
b) To receive reports from County and District Councillors.
ELDC District Cllr Mossop was in attendance and presented a report to Council. Cllr Mossop referenced the new Greater Lincolnshire Mayoral Authority, and the future new Unitary Authorities.
05:05/25 Minutes of the Previous Meeting(s)
To approve the minutes of the previous meeting(s).
RESOLVED: That the minutes be approved as a true record.
06:05/25 Co-option
To consider co-option of one Member to the Parish Council.
RESOLVED: That Christopher Marfleet be co-opted to the Parish Council.
The co-opted Councillor signed the declaration of acceptance of office in the presence of the Proper Officer, and joined the meeting.
07:05/25 Committee Membership
To appoint 3 members to the Personnel Committee.
RESOLVED: That Cllrs Buckley, Clifford and Traves be appointed to the Personnel Committee.
08:05/25 Meeting Dates
To agree dates for meetings 2025/2026
Tuesday 10th June 2025
Tuesday 8th July 2025
No meeting in August
Tuesday 9th September 2025
Tuesday 14th October 2025
Tuesday 11th November 2025
Tuesday 9th December 2025
No meeting in January
Tuesday 10th February 2026
Tuesday 10th March 2026
Tuesday 14th April 2026
Tuesday 12th May 2026
RESOLVED: That the meeting dates be approved.
09:05/25 Finance & Governance
a) To approve payment of accounts.
RESOLVED: That the following payments be approved: -
Cloud Next Email Hosting (VAT) £10.00
DW Gibbs Bus Shelter Cleaning (May) £30.00
A Shaw £XXX Wages – Apr 25
T Kuzemczak £26.00 WFH Allowance – April 25
T Kuzemczak £XXX Wages – Apr 25
T Kuzemczak £4.50 Mileage – Apr 25
LALC £64.80 3 Hrs Webmaster Service
Unity Trust Bank £6.00 Monthly Fee
b) To review Council’s subscriptions: -
• LALC –Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils
RESOLVED: That the subscription to LALC be approved.
c) To review direct debits: -
• HMRC – tax and national insurance
• O2 – mobile phone bills
• ICO – annual subscription
RESOLVED: That the direct debits be approved.
d) To review council assets and inventory.
RESOLVED: That the asset register be approved.
e) To review delegation arrangements.
RESOLVED: That the Scheme of Delegation be approved.
f) To review Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.
RESOLVED: That the Standing Orders and Financial Regulations be approved.
g) To review the Council’s employment policies and procedures.
RESOLVED: That the Disciplinary and Grievance Policies be approved.
h) To review the Council’s policies, procedures and practices in respect of its obligations under freedom of information and data protection legislation.
RESOLVED: That the Data Protection Policy be approved.
i) To review of the Council’s complaints procedure and Code of Conduct.
RESOLVED: That the Complaints Procedure and Code of Conduct be approved.
j) To review of the Council’s policy for dealing with the press/media.
RESOLVED: That the Press and Media Policy be approved.
k) To review arrangements for insurance cover in respect of all insurable risks and to receive quotations for insurance renewal.
RESOLVED: That it be noted that the year commencing 1 June 2025 is Year 2 of a 3-year LTA (long term agreement) with Zurich Municipal.
l) To review the Council’s financial risk assessment.
RESOLVED: That the risk assessment be approved.
m) To approve year end accounts 2024-2025.
RESOLVED: That the year end accounts 2024-25 be approved.
n) To receive the internal audit.
RESOLVED: That the internal audit be noted.
o) To approve the Annual Governance Statement 2024-2025 (AGAR Section 1).
RESOLVED: That the Annual Governance Statement 2024-2025 (AGAR Section 1 be approved.
p) To approve the Accounting Statements 2024-2025 (AGAR Section 2).
RESOLVED: That the Accounting Statements 2024-2025 (AGAR Section 2) be approved.
q) To approve the Certificate of Exemption.
RESOLVED: That the Certificate of Exemption be approved.
r) To note the dates for the exercise of public rights – Tuesday 3rd June 2025 – Monday 14th July 2025.
RESOLVED: That the dated be noted.
s) To review the Scheme of Publication
RESOLVED: That the Scheme of Publication be approved.
t) To consider setting up a savings (Instant Access) account with Unity Trust Bank – interest rate currently 2.25% gross.
RESOLVED: That a savings account be set up with Unity Trust Bank.
10:05/25 Planning
a) To note the following planning decisions received from ELDC: -
Application reference N/192/00178/25
Planning Permission - Erection of a detached garage with existing garage to be demolished.
WHITE COTTAGE CHURCH LANE UTTERBYLOUTH LN11 0TH
APPROVED
b) To consider any comment on the following planning application(s): -
None received.
11:05/25 Highways & Drainage
a) To receive a response from a resident regarding a hedge on Church Lane.
The clerk reported on a resident
RESOLVED: That a site visit will be arranged with the resident.
b) To receive a request from a resident regarding the plaque alongside Packhorse Bridge on Church Lane.
A resident had reported a deterioration of the plaque, and asked if it could be improved or replaced.
RESOLVED: That the Clerk will make an enquiry to Lincolnshire County Council.
12:05/25 Village Newsletter
To agree the next publication date and deadline for articles.
It was agreed to count the number of houses so that the number printed is accurate.
RESOLVED: That the next publication will be produced in the Autumn and the deadline for articles will be the end of July 2025.
13:05/25 BT Phone Box
To receive an update on the BT consultation.
RESOLVED: That the Clerk will contact BT and ELDC week commencing 23rd June to seek information on the decision made.
14:05/25 Benson Court
To agree any actions in relation to the sale of Benson Court Platform Housing properties.
It had been noted that the Benson Court properties were for sale by auction. Platform Housing has confirmed that there are no covenants on the land.
RESOLVED: That the information be noted.
15:05/25 Community Speedwatch
To consider information on the Community Speedwatch Scheme.
A report was received on how a Community Speed Watch could be set up. 6 volunteers would be needed. A grant from the Office and Police Crime Commissioner could be applied for towards the equipment required. Training would be available.
RESOLVED: That the Clerk will collate a list of interested parties. The Clerk will ask LCC Highways if the vehicle activated sign can be moved 200 metres north.
16:05/25 Future Dates
a) Next Parish Council Meeting – Tuesday 10th June at 7PM – Utterby Village Hall.
RESOLVED: That the date be noted.
b) Matters for discussion and inclusion on the next meeting agenda.
Production of a welcome pack.
The meeting closed at 8.20PM